[1] While in New York, Leo Frade decided to join the Episcopal Church.
[2] He served as curate of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Miami, Florida, from 1977–1978, and priest in charge of Hispanic ministries of Grace Episcopal Church, in New Orleans, Louisiana, from 1978–1982.
After the Mariel Boatlift, Frade was one of two Episcopal priests to be convicted for "trading with the enemy" for their part in bringing 402 refugees from Mariel on a converted minesweeper, the God's Mercy.
[2] In his ecclesial ministry, he welcomed Father Alberto Cutié into the Episcopal Church, something which provoked a negative reaction from local Catholic leaders, who said it could harm relations between the two congregations.
[3] According to the decision of the 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church allowing bishops to authorize same sex unions, Bishop Frade approved a petition by All Saints Episcopal Church rector, Father Sherod Mallow to perform a special blessing ceremony of same-gendered couples.